# Relation and order relation question

1. Jun 11, 2012

### ironman1478

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Let A = {1, 2, 3, 4}
Let G = {(4,2), (4,1), (4,3), (2,1), (2,3), (1,3)}

Is G a relation? is G an order relation?

2. Relevant equations

i think i should put the definitions of a relation and an order relation here. also this is from the book Elementary geometry from an advanced standpoint 3rd edition. section 3.2.

The definition of a relation is
A relation defined on a set A is a subset of AxA (A^2)

or in other words, a relation * is defined by the ordered pairs within a given set, G, which is a subset of AxA

example:
A = {1,2,3}
* = {(1,2), (1,3), (2,3)}
because * is a subset of AxA (which is basically all 9 combinations of 1, 2, 3 in ordered pairs)
* is a relation.

in this case * is actually the < relation

a relation * is a an ordered relation if it satisfies these two conditions
1
for every (a,b) only one of these conditions can be satisfied
a*b, a = b, b * a
2
if a * b and b * c then a * c

3. The attempt at a solution

So i know that it is a relation because G is a subset of AxA, which is all 16 combinations of 1, 2, 3, 4

however i am unsure of how i would determine whether or not its an order relation. i am leaning towards "no" since if G was > then it would only contain {(a,b)|a > b} however, (2,3) contradicts that. it also cant be < since that would only contain {(a,b)|a<b} however because it contains (4,1) that cant be true either. therefore i want to say it isnt an order relation, but i am not sure if this is sufficient proof or not, or if i even approached it correctly.

2. Jun 12, 2012

### tiny-tim

hi ironman1478!
no, that's not a sensible way to start, the relation could be anything

the best way is jsut to attempt to write them in an order that fits …

if you can, then that's the proof,

and if you can't, then you can probably see how to prove that you can't

3. Jun 12, 2012

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
The "defining" property of an order relation is the "transitive" property: If (a, b) and (b, c) are in the relation then so is (a, c). (4, 2) and (2, 1) are in the relation. Is (4, 1)?

4. Jun 12, 2012

### ironman1478

ah i think i get it.

so then it is an order relation

it satisfies conditions 1 since each (a,b) only satisfies only one of the three
there is only aGb
for example there is only 4G1, but there is not 4 = 4 (4,4) nor is there a 1G4 (1,4)

then it also satisfies condition 2 since if we try to apply the transitive property to every ordered pair in which it is applicable, we get an (a,c) which is in the set G.

therefore, since it satisfies those two conditions G is an order relation.

i hope i did this right, it is a bit hard to think of these problems since i find it more intuitive to use a relation to define a set rather than a set define a relation.

5. Jun 12, 2012

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
"One of the three"? Are you referring to the conditions for an "equivalence relation"?

I will repeat what I said before- G includes (4,2) and (2,3). What does the "transitive property" say G must include if it is an order relation?

6. Jun 12, 2012

### ironman1478

under "relevant equations" in my first post, at the end the two conditions given by my textbook for a relation being an order relation are given.

a relation * (* can be anything) is an order relation if it satisfies these two conditions

condition 1

for every (a,b) only one of these conditions can be satisfied
a*b, a = b, b * a
condition 2
if a * b and b * c then a * c

also, i understand your last point. (4,3) should be in the set, which it is. if we apply the transitive property to any 2 ordered pairs then we get ordered pairs which are also already in G.
there are no two ordered pairs that when the transitive property used, we get something out of set so therefore, the transitive property holds (i think)

god, this stuff is so difficult to understand sometimes

7. Jun 12, 2012

### tiny-tim

ironman1478, if it's an order, what is the order?

8. Jun 16, 2012

### ironman1478

well honestly i don't know lol.

according to the two conditions given by my book for a relation to be an order relation, this set of ordered pairs should be an order relation since it satisfies both. however i just can't figure it out what it is exactly, if it even is an order relation. it seems like the this question is easier than i think it is, but i just don't see the relation, if there is one

9. Jun 17, 2012

### tiny-tim

just write the four numbers on four separate pieces of paper,

and shuffle them around until you find it!

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